Pharmacy staff are responsive, knowledgeable, and personable, but the pharmacy is understaffed and inefficient. The result is periodically very slow service with long lines and wait times. CVS has also purposely made reaching pharmacy staff by phone difficult, and the CVS app is notoriously glitchy, all of which compounds the service problem. Although the Customer Service experience at this location is far better than at the Mission Boulevard store, it's nonetheless subpar. read more

This is my third review, first was about having me at 78 yrs old to find someone to walk you to the bathroom to unlock the door, from the front of the store to the back!!! sooo embarrassing, almost peed my pants! No bathroom sign by the way , second, was for lady who delivered my package delivered to my front door right in front of a huge sign that reads DO NOT PUT PACKAGES HERE!!!! Third, lady and I were all confused in front of the ice cream glass case, LOCKS ON EVERY DOOR, guess I will not be buying ice cream there any longer! I asked the lady in front, rudely SAid to me, locked because PEOPLE TOUCH THE ICE CREAMS,!!! LOLLOL, What has this world come to??? I am completely appalled by all this! Is this still America the great? I do not think so, when you even have to embarrass me to follow me and unlock the unseen bathroom, and locking up ice cream, APPALLING AND UN AMERICAN, Wish there was another pharmacy to go to!!!! read more

The drive through pharmacy closed 5 min before the scheduled time of 12:25. ......btw since im here . the staff always sucks here and the place looks like a dump. Way to go CVS. Oh wait. There is a lovely lady from Africa often at the front register. Shes nice. Everyone else usually seems like they are zombies. read more

Why do I still come here? I'm stupid that's why. I mean I love waiting in in like for 2 hours for my prescription. I love super long lines. I love them never having anything in stock that I need. It's awesome... Now please burn down. read more

CVS Pharmacy - Longer lines than Disneyland... - Drugstores Near Me - Castro Valley, California

these cashiers at the front are very unpleasant, ungrateful, not nice to talk to, and prob hate their jobs, bad customer service, no respect man read more

Switched to this pharmacy from an independently owned one in Fremont about 6 months ago. Best decision I've made in years LOL! All the CVS Pharmacy staff that have assisted me had excellent customer service and the past 4 refill pick ups have been quick and uneventful. Sometimes the line has been long but that is to be expected. I recently went on a Sunday afternoon and there was only 1 person in line. I highly recommend you download their CVS app so you can get notifications about your medications. I requested a medication from a specific manufacturer and I love that the app always notifies me that my requested medication has been filled and ready for pick up. They also include a picture of my medication which is a nice feature to have. So if you use this or any pharmacy, don't be impatient or rude to the staff. People in the medical field are trying their best. Be kind...ALWAYS! read more

I don't know why this store doesn't get more stars. Whoever hires, trains and manages the front cashiers deserves a thank you. These ladies ( haven't seen a man up in front for a while) are always pleasant and helpful to me, even after dealing with a difficult customer. I do notice that the line is always long at the pharmacy end, but I haven't used that part. The store is typically clean and well-ordered, and the parking is plentiful. I come to this CVS from San Leandro for a reason. Thank you! read more

Tina a cashier at CVS is the greatest thing since sliced bread! I have been going there for years. She is always friendly, efficient, and has a smile on her face. What a great asset to CVS and their customers! I hope they appreciate her and pay her accordingly. read more

My parents both are in their 90's, started having a lot of health issues. Both have gotten COVID and ended up in the hospitals a few times. Recently, my mom got COVID again. The COVID lasted more than 2 weeks and finally ended up in the hospital for a few days. We have been buying the COVID test kits. One of my sisters told me to find out if there's anyway to get any free test kits as my parents are both Medi Cal recipients. I did some research and found out that, effective July of this year, Medi Cal patients are able to get 8 free COVID test kits every month - at least until September of this year. My guess is the surging COVID! About 2 weeks ago, I took the attached copy from the California Department of Public Health to this Castro Valley CVS Pharmacy Department and spoke to one of the pharmacists, Danh. Danh refused to look at the copy and told me that they did not have any test kits to give, in fact, he told me that they simply didn't have any in the inventory. I asked him nicely that when they would have the test kits again, he started raising his voice and just insisted that they didn't have any. Because of his loud voice, another CVS pharmacy employee came over - not to help me but just to find out what the commotion was all about. I was totally embarrassed because I believe that I did nothing wrong but just to inquire them nicely that when they would have the test kits in stocks again. I did not lose my cool the whole time. I told my sister the situation, she looked up on her computer and did find that there were test kits at their Castro Valley CVS inventory. So, I assume that either Danh did not want to help (more than likely - judging from his angry voice and bad attitude) or their inventory on the computer was wrong. Either way, Danh's attitude was unacceptable since I did nothing wrong and it is his job to act professionally to help, shouldn't this be basic professionalism? I did not give up, I took the attached to the CVS in San Francisco, across the street from my parents' place and showed it to one of the pharmacists again. This time, I even yellow high lighted the relevant sentence so that it would save the pharmacist's time to read - did not want to get "yelled at" again! Surprisingly, the pharmacist was very professional and polite. I could tell that she was quite busy but she was kind enough to take a look at my copy and did some research on her computer. Within a few minutes, she told me that she checked the insurance and it went through. So she told me that she would need about 10 minutes to get both my parents 8 test kits each. The pharmacist was not only helpful, she acted professionally and efficiently. I got the test kits in 10 minutes. It was like day and night when compare her with Danh at the Castro Valley CVS! read more

CVS Pharmacy - Copy from the California Department of Public Health - Drugstores Near Me - Castro Valley, California

Shout out to Daniel for being so patient with my son today while he was getting vaccinated. My son is terrified of needles and he was so kind, patient and reassuring. In the end, my son barely felt a thing. read more

This CVS has the absolute best staff ever! The pharmacy staff is better than awesome. The front store staff is awesome. Service is quick, respectful, and extremely helpful. read more

I initially came here to buy a few items. When it was my turn to pay, I gave the cashier my membership card and a few coupons to scan. The lady refused to scan my coupons so I unloaded all the stuff that I was going to purchase with her and left. CVS needs to train their employees correctly before they allow them to run the registers. This lady was wearing regular clothes, instead of the CVS logo shirts. read more

Everybody here does their best to be helpful with the stretched staff they have. Managers are all great and keep the store clean and stocked. Items go quick from good sales so don't be surprised if 40 boxes of cereal are gone in 2 days. I see alot of people snap at the staff for what is beyond their control, have some compassion for the people who help you get the things you need! read more

PHARMACY REVIEW: It's advisable to come earlier in the day as you can because the lines get real long during the post-work evening rush. However, the pharmacy technicians truly try their best to make everything as efficient & convenient as possible. It can sometimes be the patients who give them a hard time, as I've noticed. I feel like there's a certain etiquette you should expect from the pharmacy including how you carry yourself. If you have a lot of questions--ask your doctor or insurance provider to save people some time! I appreciate the pharmacist as he's really sweet & knowledgeable regarding the consultation about any prescribed medications. He keeps everything straight forward & pushing. I can't imagine how busy they are on a daily basis from opening until closing. Let's give them some slack! read more

Danh the pharmacist is awesome. He totally understands billing and insurance stuff-- and we've presented with a wide range of billing and prescription complexities. He is always friendly and quick and smart. Also all the vaccines we had here were done well, from all the staff. Other staff are friendly and the rest of the store is what I expect from cvs. read more

Got in line a few minutes before closing time 6:01 came and they said they were closed and refused to help me!!

I stopped by to just get a flu shot. The female pharmacist who gave me my flu shot today was super nice (I can't remember her name). Good CVS & good customer service, I would come back for sure. read more

Literally 11 people working in the pharmacy. A long line waiting to pick up and only one tech assigned to work the line. Surprised no one gets assigned to help reduce the line. Technician was very good, thank you Zachary for working so hard. read more

Usually short on checkers. Long wait to purchase items. I prefer CVS to the other drug stores BUT after my experience Friday night I am no longer a customer. Thank's to the Manager Eugene read more

There's a huge parking lot so you won't have any issues at all. The store is really big and everything is really spaced out. I went to buy make up setting spray and they had it in stock which was great. The store looked really clean and seemed to be pretty stocked on their items. The staff were nice and I would go back. They had all their Valentine's Day items already stocked for the holiday. There was a wait for the register, but the line went by pretty quick which was good. read more

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Every time I've need to deal with the pharmacy over a prescription they have been incredibly helpful.

Apparently, now that RiteAid is gone on the east end of the boulevard, nearby CVS seems a lot less inclined to deliver good service to its customers. The drive-up window, particularly valuable at this time of year for us seniors trying to avoid flu/cold/RSV/COVID, has been shut down as "out of order" for a good length of time. Really now, is it gone for good, are you too lazy to have whatever is wrong fixed, too cheap or simply don't care? Moreover, the bin inside the store where you can dispose out unused medications is also "out of order." Seriously? It's a bin! Trying to dispose of some unwanted and powerful pain pills, I asked the person at the pharmacy window if they could take the pills and dispose of them. No, she said. I told her I would just dump them in the garbage, and she said, rather coldly, fine. With the driveup window closed, there are now long lines inside the store waiting for the pharmacy, including many older people who being made to stand and wait when they at least could be waiting in their cars. It really seems like CVS, at one time undisputed as superior to Walgreen's and RiteAid, has gone to seed. Come on, CVS, do better and get your act together for your patrons. Until you fix these things that are "out of order," things that should be able to be fixed in a matter of hours, I for one am taking my business elsewhere. read more

While I am not wild about the inside of the store (it seems perpetually understaffed and I'm not wild about their selection, that's why 1 star off) I love their pharmacy. The first thing I did while moving to Castro Valley was lose an important bottle of medication, mostly full. I went to my new pharmacy (I was already an unwilling customer of CVS, so I figured I'd just use the Castro Valley CVS) and it was amazing. I asked them if there was any way they could sell me a few tablets to hold me until I could find the bottle, instead they called my insurance, explained that I lost the bottle, and got authorization to fill a new one for me, then had it ready for me in 10 minutes. That was a year ago. I take a lot of meds, many of them controlled substances. I've called and dropped in so many times the pharmacist (who is responsive, caring, very busy, and very good at his job) knows me by name, and other staff, especially in the drive thru, know me on sight. I'm there for meds about once a week, usually picking up multiple bottles. That's a lot of opportunities for things to go wrong, but it's either something they immediately fixed, or something completely out of their control. The pharmacist even called my insurance and figured out why they denied one of my meds when even the prescribing doctor couldn't get that information. This is not just the best CVS pharmacy I've ever been to, it's the best pharmacy I've worked with ever! Hint: it can be a wait, but the drive thru is where I've gotten the best help. Or calling them. They have long hold times, but that's because they actually help, and that takes time. read more

This cvs is one of the best cvs I have been.customer service was great and the store was clean.eugene the guy who works in evening helped me to find some products and explained well.great customer service. read more

Not a good pharmacy, always busy, always impatient. They close at 12:30 for lunch which is fine, but will close early in you even if you've been in line for more than 10 minutes waiting... so just know, if 12:25 rolls around and you're inline. You will have to wait until they re-open to get your prescription. All in all not great customer service, probably better ways to handle closing for lunch than just closing the gate at 12:25 on your customers. read more

18 people in line for pharmacy! CVS management is the problem. Keep your stores staffed!

went to the pharmacy because I had a question about an over the counter drug for my son to see if he could take it with other medication. she immediately got an attitude and said the box says it's ok. acted like she was super annoyed with me and had better things to do! so glad this isn't my main pharmacy read more

I purchased a 25.00 Apple Card and paid cash. I took the card back as I hadn't even drive out yet. The cards number was scratched off on some of the numbers and I couldn't use it. Manager didn't want to replace it. I checked other cards in the back by pharmacy which is where I got it and a few others were scratched off too. Don't buy them there. It was for a gift for a birthday I was going to that day. read more

CVS Pharmacy - Gift card - Drugstores Near Me - Castro Valley, California

Hey, once in a great while these people do something right, but usually dealing with them is just one hassle after another. God forbid that you sign up for a vaccination appointment and get in a car accident and therefore miss the appointment! EVERY SINGLE TIME you call about your prescriptions, that recording is going to tell you that your prescription for that missed vaccine is ready, and they're going to haunt you with that FOREVER. They will NOT let you forget it, and even the pharmacist told me they do this in purpose! DUDE, I got in a CAR ACCIDENT! I'M SO SORRY I MISSED THE APPOINTMENT DUE TO MY CAR GETTING TOTALED, but now it's like I have a felony record with the CVS Cops who are going to remind me of that for YEARS--or at least until I can't take it anymore or maybe just go to Walgreens to get my prescriptions filled. Hey, that's not a bad idea! read more

This review is for the pharmacy at this location. By far, the pharmacists are some of the best here. Both Benny and Dan are really knowledgeable about the medications. I've spoken to other pharmacists who clearly are uncertain about the medications that are prescribed. But not Benny and Dan. I would like to specifically emphasize what a great pharmacist that Benny is! He was compassionate and understanding with regards to a terrible side effect I had from my medication. And he went the extra mile to help me get some medication I needed to help w the side effects. I appreciate his hard work and it absolutely made the world of a difference to me. Love that during covid, you have the option to choose to pick up at the drive thru so that there is absolutely no contact between you and the clerk or anyone else for that matter and that you can even consult w the pharmacist thru the window! Amazing! The wait is usually about 1-2 cars before me, which isn't especially long. The other awesome option is to have it completely contactless by having it delivered free of charge to your home. I'd also like to add that I love getting my prescriptions at cvs bc of the added $5 bonuses I get when I fill 10 rxs. :). read more

Of the incompetent and inefficient clerks that work in the pharmacy Sita is the worst. She can not find prescriptions, has trouble operating the cash register and needs help from the other clerks. It is amazing that she was hired, but not so amazing if you consider how the pharmacy is run If you need to pick up a prescription bring a book or better still chose a different pharmacy read more

This store does not honor coupons. I've been there twice recently where they denied my coupons. The first time I had a coupon for Schick razors and they denied it. I showed them the coupon and the terms and they still denied it. So I went to the one in Hayward and they honored the coupon. Tonight I had a coupon for $4 off any purchase and I got moisturizing oil and I saw the cashier bypass all my coupons. I asked her if I had any to use and she quickly said no. Don't bother going to this CVS for anything outside of a prescription or medicine. Everything else they don't really care about customer service. read more

They will fill your prescriptions without your knowledge, then when it IS time to refill and you do so the meds are on "hold". I have auto refill marked "no" and still this happens. I try to use their website but that's all messed up. If you need refills it is best to call them and let them know which ones. I'm changing health plans next year; maybe I'll be able to use Walgreens or Safeway. read more

answer your damn phone, picked a prescription for my wife. it was short, md order 3 tablets every other day for seven days, they gave us ten total tablets. no explanation on how we get enough doses for seven days. if it was not for my wife i would have hung up. holding for 40+ minutes read more

I have been a loyal CVS customer for years. Even moved to this one when we moved from across the bay. But today was ridiculous. My daughter has a bacterial infection and needs antibiotics today. We came here straight from the doctor. Because we came two min past closing they would not open the gate. When I asked about other pharmacies she just replied "I dont know about other pharmacies" and kind of snarky. She could have been at least more apologetic or nicer rather than a snarky reply when it's painfully obvious my daughter needs the medicine. And who closes at 6pm on Sat when dr offices see patents ip until 5pm. They probably won't read this but to the cvs pharmacy workers on 4/15/23 afternoon... how about a little kindness when you are telling a parent of a young kid that she has to deal with another night with an infection. read more

I have visited CVS on Monday & Tuesday to do a first time 'coupon using and free item gift' while shopping for other items. The store was not crowded at all I May have seen a hand full of people including the store employees. I was not able to find what I went to purchase so went on about the samples advertised for this month. Grandpa was S*** out of luck, No disposable bedding liners sold here anymore :-(. After not finding the items there I decided to check out and ask in front about their daily free sample being advertised FREE (note I went early) I was told they had ran out. There was no other attempt to check for the products nor rain check offered. A mid 20s asian female cashier jumped onto my cashiers ear to tell him what to say as if she didn't want to provide what they advertised. I was disappointed at my experience. Just to clarify this location is often NOT busy. I found their frozen food area Carry old ice cream and mostly heat and eat snacks. Their licor variety is huge and their store looks clean so far. I didn't check out their restrooms since I live in town. There's plenty of empty parking and that should alert anyone that business is low. read more

Every time I come here they only have one checker. And there's like fifteen people in line. Today november seventeenth. Three people behind the checkout counter one was a manager and then there was one more who was the only one checking people out. I stood in line when all I wanted was a 1/2. A gallon of milk for almost twelve minutes. I wish this were the only time this has happened. But you would think that after so many times people standing in line and the manager is standing they are looking at you. They would get a clue and have them open up another checkstand. Or train the checker that's working a little better. This may sound like a rant. But in all honesty I really didn't want to post this. But really getting tired of having to wait to check out. Incidentally I was only the third person left in with about ten people behind me. I'm only giving one star review this time because this is an ongoing problem. At least one other person could have logged on to their register. Instead of just staring at us read more

I am beginning to have a love/hate relationship with this location. My feeling is always dependent on the employee I get to help me. We've been filling my son's prescriptions here for quite a while and usually things are smooth sailing. Recently, one of his medications has been on back order. Phi, the pharmacy manager was very helpful in locating more of his medications at other CVS locations and helping us arrange getting the prescriptions transferred over and ordered so we can just pick up. Of course, every now and then there is going to be a snag. I was getting close to the end of the medication that had already been supplied, so I called a week before I would be out, and Phi did her magic and called the doctor for us. Somewhere in the exchange, it seems our doctor sent the prescription to the wrong CVS pharmacy. I didn't realize until I had one day left. So I called and unfortunately, I got Bethanny on the phone. She was not helpful at all, and did not even let me finish asking my questions before she answered. It had been a week, so before calling my doctor, I wanted to see if she could make sure that the location Phi had found the medication supply at still had them, but she never let me finish my sentence and kept interrupting me telling me it wasn't their problem, that they did all they could do and I had to call my doctor. I asked to speak with the pharmacy manager and she put me on indefinite hold. Finally, I gave up and called around to other closer pharmacies and found his medication at another pharmacy (not a CVS) and called my doctor and had the prescription sent over and we were good. Yesterday, I went in to pick up another prescription and was so glad to see Roxanne working! She is always super nice and always goes above and beyond. It's because of her, Phi and Dan that I keep coming back here and why I still give them 4 stars. These three would make it a five star review but, unfortunately this was not the first go around with Bethanny so it's a 4. read more

There's rarely any 24 hr CVS around in the Bay Area, but at least this Castro Valley location closes at midnight! IT WAS AN EMERGENCY! I just ran out of Nyquil and had to grab some cold & flu medicine. I arrived 15 minutes before they closed. The store was empty, but I found a staff member that was eager to help me on my late night medicine run. AND I'm sure they wanted to close on time and get me out of there as soon as possible :). My friend told me there was a 50% off coupon on the CVS Pharmacy App, so you know I downloaded their app real quick, because I'm always down to save the money$$$. The meds would have costed $8.00, but I got them for $4.00. SCORE! A little win, is still a WIN! Also, got out of there before midnight. It was a WIN WIN for all! read more

CVS Pharmacy - Half off medicine! Lucky me. Got a coupon from the CVS App! - Drugstores Near Me - Castro Valley, California

This location is cool, but the rockstar is Roxy in the pharmacy.. she is the dopest person ever!! I hope this location treats her right !!! If Roxy leaves we riot lol I only come here bc of her! Her service is 10/10 her personality is x1,000 love her mucho! read more